Artist&#39;s stand



' ARTIST'S STAND Filed July 2e, 196e e9 [11"1. hl. f7@ iff? mi. Y 11H1 1,.

S v t" 1; "H v `|NvENToR '50 76 WZ' v 32N WILFRED R. HOCKINGA v FIGB ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oee 3,360,319 ARTISTS STAND Wilfred R. Hocking, 4101 Hayes, Wayne, Mich. 48184 Filed July 26, 1966, Ser. No. 568,033 8 Claims. (Cl. S12-231) This invention relates to a stand or taboret which provides means for supporting an artists picture in a vertical attitude, in the manner of an easel, and also provides a horizontal work surface as well as a storage compartment for supplies.

A conventional artists taboret comprises a cabinet or a table having drawers supported under its upper surface, providing a generally horizontal working surface on which paints may be mixed and supported and in which supplies and equipment may be stored. In addition to such a working surface and storing unit, `an artist often employs an easel adapted to support a canvas or other planar work surface in a generally horizontal attitude 'at adjustable elevations.

The present invention broadly contemplates a unique structure which performs the functions of both a taboret and an easel and is so arranged and constructed as to allow it to be useful for both functions simultaneously as well as being relatively low in cost.

In its broadest aspect, the present invention takes the form of a stand having a rectangular upper work surface disposed at about waist height. The stand is supported on four legs and a storage compartment is formed below the work surface. The horizontal surface of the stand has a relatively shallow depth in comparison with its width. At

its rear end the storage compartment carries a pair ofv rectangular vertically aligned boards which are spaced with respect to one another so as to create a relatively narrow, vertical channelv between their opposed parallel sides.

4Another board extends vertically downward from the underside of the storage compartment with its rearward i face parallel to the lower surface of the channel thus formed. This backing board, as it will be termed, terminates at a horizontal brace extending between the rear legs of the stand, above their lower edges. The continuous vertical surface formed by the bottom side of the channel and the rear side of the backing board serves as a support for an elongated vertical easel member which has a width y slightly less than the distance between the opposed sides of the channel. This member has a central slot running almost its entire length and it is adjustably retained with one face against the bottom side of the channel and the support board by fastener members which project through the slot and attach to the bottom of the channel and the bottom cross bar. The upper end of this easel support work surface so that access to it may be had'from the forlprojects above the horizontal work surface of the standA ward edge of the stand over the top surface thereof. The' f relatively shallow depth of the stand allows the -artist to conventionally reach and face `all points on the canvas lsupported by the easel. The sides of the channel prevent sideward movement of the easel and the support board transmits the thrust of forces directed against the upper end of the easel against the stand framework. The lower ends of the inner sides of the two rear legs carry wheels which do not normally contact the floor, but do so when the upper end of the stand is'tilted in a rearward direction to allow the stand to be trundled from a convenient manner.

It is therefore seen to be a primary object of the present invention to provide a unit which includes a shallow, wide, generally horizontal work'surface with storage space beplace to place in lneath the surface and a vertical easel stand projecting upwardly from the rear side of the work surface to adjustable heights.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stand having a rectangular, relatively shallow upper surface with a pair of spaced boards forming a vertical channel between their opposed parallel edges fixed along the rear of the stand so as to align and support an elongated vertical easel member above the rear of the stand.

A further object is to provide such a device wherein a backing board projects downwardly from the lower side of the channel forming boards so as to provide a lower support for the easel member.

Another object is to provide such an arrangement wherein the easel member has a longitudinal slot formed therein which allows it to be adjustably retained to the stand at its lower end and to adjustably` retain a pair of canvas support members at its upper end.

A still further object is to provide such an arrangement wherein wheels are supported on the interior opposed sides of the rear legs so as to only contact the floor when the stand is tilted, for purposes of portability.

Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will be made apparent by the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a stand forming a preferred embodiment of the invention taken from an upper forward corner and showing the storage drawer open;

FIGURE 2 is an elevation view of the rear side of the inventive stand;

FIGURE 3 is a partial elevation sectional view taken through the center of the work surface and storage area of the unit along line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view through one of the horizontal easel support blocks taken along lines 4--4 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a partial perspective view of the unit with a cover on the work surface.

Referring to the drawings, the unit is supported on four legs 10, 12, 14 and 16 which may be made of wood of a rectangular crosssection. The legs are vertically aligned and are arrayed in a rectangular pattern with a greater spacing existing between the legs 10 and 16 of one side and the legs 12 and 14 on the other side, than exist between the forward legs 10 and 12 and the rear legs 14 and 16. Adjacent their lower edges, horizontal side brace members 18 and 20 extend between one pair of side legs 12 and 14 and the other pair of side legs 10 and 16 respectively. A horizontal rear brace member 22 extends between the two rear legs 14 and 16 making connection with the forward sides of these legs just above the brace members 55, 18 and 20.

The upper ends of the front legs 10 and 12 and the rear legs 14 and 16 terminate at the lower edges of a horizontal vrectangular work surface support member 24. The upper surface of the member 24 is covered by a sheet metal member 26, the -upper surface of which constitutes the actual work surface. The -work surface 26 has short upturned side lips 28 and a short upturned rear lip 30.

A rectangular bottom member 32 has rectangular notches at its forward corners 34 and 36 to accommodate the front legs v10 and 12, so thatthe forward surface of the bottom member 32 is flush with the forward surfaces of the front legs 10 and 12. A vertical back member 38 having the same thickness as the leg members and extending between the rear leg members 14 and 16, has its lower the elevation of the lip 30 of the work surface. A pair of rectangular side panels 40 and 42 are fixed to the side edges of the bottom member 32, the side member 38 and the top member 24, and project from the lower edge of the bottom member 32 to just above the top edges of the upturned lips 28 of the top and beyond the forward edges of the legs and 12.

The drawer assembly is completed by a cover member 44 which is joined to the forward surfaces of the front legs 10 and 12 just above the top edge of the bottom member 32, by hinges 46 and 48. The cover 44 may either be disposed in the open position shown in FIGURES l and 3, wherein it projects horizontally as an extension from the front edge of the bottom member 32 or in a closed position wherein its upper edge is disposed immediately below the projecting forward edge of the top member 44. In this closed position, a first hasp member 50 which projects from the center of the top forward edge of the forward member 44 is in alignment with a second hasp member 52 which projects from the center of the bottom edge of the cover member 24 so that the two may be locked together by a padlock or similar device.

The space interior of the cover member 44 between the side walls 40 and 42 and the top and bottom members 32 and 24 provides a convenient storage space for pencils, paints and other art supplies which might be used with the unit. When the cover member 44 is in its lower position its bottom edges abut the forward faces of the front legs 10 and 12 to retain it in the horizontal position and it acts as a convenient material supporting surface. The metal work surface 26 may be used to retain paints and the like while the artist is working on a canvas supported on the easel in a manner which will subsequently be disclosed, and may easily be scraped clean if it becomes covered with paint,

The back of the .taboret thus formed is reinforced by a pair of rectangular rear panel members 54 and 56 attached to the rear of the back member 38. The panels 54 and 56 are each slightly less than half the width of the back member 38 and their opposed faces are separated from one another so as to form a groove 58 bounded by the two opposed edges of the panels S4 and 56 and the section of the back member 38 between them. A backing member 60 -consisting of a vertical board having a width equal to the groove 58 extends from the lower edge of the groove 58 to the rear cross member 22. Its rear surface is flush with the rear surface of the groove 58 and at its lower end it is spaced from the backing brace 22 by block 62. Thus, the bottom of the groove 58 and the rear surface of the backing member 60 form a continuous vertical surface extending from the top of the back member to the bottom of the rear cross brace 22.

An elongated vertical easel support member 64 comprising an elongated rectangular section having a height approximately equal to twice the height of the work surface 26 is retained within the groove 58 and against the rear surface of the backing board 60 by means of an elongated slot 66 which runs centrally along the board and terminates just short of each end. The easel member 64 is retained against the bottom of the slot 58 and the rear surface of the backing member 60, with the major portion of its length extending above the work surface 26, by means of a thumb screw 68 which bears against a washer 69 and has its threaded end passing through the slot 66 and through a hole in the back board 38 and has a nut 71 affixed to its far end. A lower bolt 70 backed up by a washer 76 and having a nut 77 at its far end also passes through the slot 66 and the backboard 38 to vertically Ialign the easel support member 64, but to allow vertical motion.

An upper easel support member 80 and a lower easel support member 82 are adjustably retained along the easel support 64 above the taboret. The upper member 80 has lower at surface 84 and a downw-ardly projecting lip 86 which is adapted to support the upper end of a canvas. An eye bolt 88 passes through the support 80 and through the slot 66 and fastens in a female threaded member 90 supported in a bearing block 92 on the rear side of the member 66. By loosening the bolt 88, the posttion of the upper block 80 may be adjusted along the slot 66. Similarly, the lower support member 82 has a step 96 on its upper edge which is intended to support the lower side of the canvas. The support member 82 is substantially longer than the support member 80. An eye bolt 98 passes through the support 82 and is retained by support block 100 on the rear of the member 64.

The unit may be rolled about by means of a pair of wheels 102 and 104 which are journaled for rotation on the inner opposed sides of the rear legs 14 and 16. When the unit is in an upright manner, supported on all four of the legs, the wheels 102 and 104 do not contact the supporting surface. However, when the unit is pivoted rearwardly on its rear legs, the wheels 102 and 104 are brought in contact with the supporting surface and the unit may be rolled -around while disposed in this inclined position.

The depth of the taboret work surface 26 is preferably not more than 18 inches in order for the unit to function in a proper manner, otherwise, an artist using the unit would not be able to comfortably reach all parts of the canvas supported above the unit on the members 80 and 82. It is therefore of importance to the proper operation of the unit that its depth be no greater than its width. Such a width is necessary to provide a sufficient volume of storage space within the taboret.

In order to protect the surface 26 when not in use and prevent wet paint which may be disposed thereon from accidentially soiling articles which may come in contact therewith, a rectangular planar cover member 100 having dimensions similar to those of the entire top surface of the unit and having the downturned lip 102 on one forward edge may be disposed over the top when it is not in use. The cover 100 has a pair of downturned ears 104 affixed to the lower edges of its opposed sides adjacent the rear. The ears pass over bars 106 which project outwardly from the surfaces of the sides 40 and 42. A plate 108 which is hinged to the center of the forward edge 100 has a slot 110 which is adapted to receive the hasp members 50 and 52 so as to retain the cover in a locked position.

In use, the members 80 and 82 are adjusted along the members 64 so as to support a canvas thereon and the height of the member 64 is adjusted above the base member to provide a comfortable working position. The surface 26 may be used to retain paints or a palette or other tools and supplies Kand the artist is not separated from the easel by any greater distance than he would be if he manually supported a palette in front of him.

The side boards 54 and 56 prevent the member 64 from shifting sideways and the backing board as well as the side brace absorb any thrust exerted on the easel in a rearward direction, providing an unusually stable support. After use, the supplies may be stored within the storage surface and the cover 44 may be closed and locked by means of the hasps 50 and 52.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A combined taboret and easel support of the type described comprising: four vertical leg members disposed in a rectangular array with a greater distance existing be- .tween the legs on opposite sides than exists between the front and rear legs; a horizontal work surface fixed to the upper ends of the legs; a storage compartment supported below the work support surface; a vertical surface disposed between the rear legs and running downwardly from the top of the work surface; a pair of vertical side guide members projecting rearwardly from the rear support surface at a spaced distance with respect to one another; an elongated easel support member having a width approximately equal to the distance between the side guides disposed with one of its surfaces in opposition to the backing member and two of its other surfaces in opposition to the guides; means for adjustably positioning said easel support member with respect to the backing member so that a substantial portion of its length eX- tends above the working surface; and a pair of horizontal support blocks adjustably positioned on the easel support member.

2. The combined taboret and easel support of claim 1 wherein the elongated easel support member has a central slot extending for substantially its entire length between its ends and which includes means for adjustably retaining a supporting member with respect to the backing member comprising threaded fasteners which project through the slot and the horizontal easel support blocks are also adjustably retained in said slot.

3. The combined taboret and easel of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment has a door hingedly attached to the lower side of the compartment which may be disposed in either a closed -position or an open position wherein it projects horizontally and provides an additional work support surface.

4. The combined taboret and easel of claim 1, wherein the work support surface comprises a metal sheet having at least some of its side edges turned upwardly.

5. The combined easel and taboret of claim 1, wherein the side guides comprise the opposed parallel edges of a pair of planar rectangular members which are attached to opposed sides of the rear of the storage compartment.

6. The combined easel Iand taboret of claim 5, wherein the lower end of the storage compartment and the side guides terminate substantially above the bottom of the legs and the backing board projects downwardly from the lower edge of said storage compartment and has its rearward surface parallel to the rearward surface of the groove formed between the side guides.

7. The combined easel and taboret of claim 1 wherein a rectangular cover member having dimensions complementary to the work surface is adapted to be retained over the work surface when it is not in use.

8. The combined easel and taboret of claim 7 wherein the cover member has a pair of downturned ears which engage projections extending from the sides of the storage compartment in order to lockingly retain the cover members above the work surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,899,687 2/1933 Herrmann 312230 2,480,383 8/ 1949 Pino 312--280` X 2,586,524 2/1952 Dussardier 312-231 3,122,858 3/ 1964 Kadin 248-449 3,140,558 7/1964 Cassidy 248-449 3,168,363 2/1965 Monsour 312-231 3,165,367 1/1965 Rose 312-231 CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COMBINED TABORET AND EASEL SUPPORT OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED COMPRISING: FOUR VERTICAL LEG MEMBERS DISPOSED IN A RECTANGULAR ARRAY WITH A GREATER DISTANCE EXISTING BETWEEN THE LEGS ON OPPOSITE SIDES THAN EXISTS BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR LEGS; A HORIZONTAL WORK SURFACE FIXED TO THE UPPER ENDS OF THE LEGS; A STORAGE COMPARTMENT SUPPORTED BELOW THE WORK SUPPORT SURFACE; A VERTICAL SURFACE DISPOSED BETWEEN THE REAR LEGS AND RUNNING DOWNWARDLY FROM THE TOP OF THE WORK SURFACE; A PAIR OF VERTICAL SIDE GUIDE MEMBERS PROJECTING REARWARDLY FROM THE REAR SUPPORT SURFACE AT A SPACED DISTANCE WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER; AN ELONGATED EASEL SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING A WIDTH APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE SIDE GUIDES DISPOSED WITH ONE OF ITS SURFACES IN OPPOSITION TO THE BACKING MEMBER AND TWO OF ITS OTHER SURFACES IN OPPOSITION TO THE GUIDES; MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLY POSITIONING SAID EASEL SUPPORT MEMBER WITH RESPECT TO THE BACKING MEMBER SO THAT A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF ITS LENGTH EXTENDS ABOVE THE WORKING SURFACE; AND A PAIR OF HORIZONTAL SUPPORT BLOCKS ADJUSTABLY POSITIONED ON THE EASEL SUPPORT MEMBER. 